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Monday, June 30, 2008
On the path to ‘gurgitator’ glory
By Dana Yates
Alex Shamis/Daily JournalThe winner: Kevin Ross ate 17 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
How much could you stomach for 10 minutes and the chance to bring home $20,000 and a the title of the world’s best competitive eater?
Think you could down seven hot dogs? 15? 25? How about 66? Could you scarf down 66 hot dogs and their buns in front of a national audience for a chance to be called Nathan’s Famous Hot dog’s champion? Would you re-digest your own “reversal?”
The competition is harder than you think.
Each year, “gurgutators” from across the country compete for the Superbowl of competitive eating. Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest is held annually on Conney Island, New York, on Fourth of July. The final spot in the contest was awarded Saturday during an qualifying eat-off at the Shops at Tanforan in San Bruno. Kevin Ross, 26, of Temecula, Calif., took home the trophy and will travel to New York for Friday’s face-off of internationally known superstar eaters.
“Most of it, honestly, is mental. If someone would have pushed me harder, I would have eaten more,” Ross said between hot dog infused post-game burps.
Ross downed 22 hot dogs and at times he looked like he might “reverse” - to borrow a term from last year’s ESPN broadcast of the Conney Island challenge.
He kept it together, though, with the help of fruit punch. A common technique among competitive eaters is to dip the hot dog buns in water to help them go down easier and take less room in the stomach. Ross’ twist includes water and fruit punch.
“Anything goes down easier with fruit punch,” he said.
Ross traveled from his Southern California home to Dallas for a qualifying competition last week. He ate more hot dogs there, but didn’t win the spot at Friday’s competition.
He knows the odds are against him. After all, he was competing Saturday in the home territory of San Jose’s Joey Chestnut, the current champion. Chestnut downed 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes last year and became the first American in years to win the the title.
He’s sort of a hero in these parts.
Chestnut, 23, made a short appearance Saturday at Tanforan. He signed paper Nathan’s hot dog hats and posed for pictures.
“I’m a really big fan, Joey. We’re all rooting for you,” one woman said.
The hometown glory doesn’t translate to dollar signs for Chestnut, who admits he “gets no love” when it comes to corporate sponsorships. He works construction by day.
Just because sponsors aren’t serious, doesn’t mean Chestnut’s not. He’s in serious training, eating only hot dogs for solid food meals. He’ll fast for two and a half days at a time and drink lots of water to expand his muscles. He will start fasting Tuesday to defend his title on Friday.
His goal is to eat the same amount, 66 hot dogs, in two less minutes. This year’s contest runs 10 minutes instead of the usual 12.
He’s nervous, but not worried. He’s ready to take on his top competition, Takeru Kobayashi, of Japan. The former champion met Chestnut chew for chew last year, but lost by a few bites and likely made ESPN history for the number of slow motion reruns of someone regurgitating their own food. He blamed his poor performance on a jaw problem before the competition.
“I’m going to do my best. I’m not worried about him or his jaw,” Chestnut said.
Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106.
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